Troparia are also sometimes used as refrains for chanted psalm verses, though [[sticheron|stichera]] more often serve this function.

Troparia are also sometimes used as refrains for chanted psalm verses, though [[sticheron|stichera]] more often serve this function.

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Troparia to the Mother of God ([[Theotokos]]) are called [[theotokia]].

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Troparia to the Mother of God ([[Theotokos]]) are called [[theotokion|theotokia]].

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:True Theotokos, we magnify you!

:True Theotokos, we magnify you!

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This theotokion is sung at nearly every service of the Church and privately by many Orthodox Christians.

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This [[theotokion]] is sung at nearly every service of the Church and privately by many Orthodox Christians.

Revision as of 19:28, January 18, 2005

Troparion (also tropar; plural troparia) is a type of hymn in the OrthodoxChurch and other Eastern Christian churches. The term most often refers to the apolytikion, the thematic hymn which closes vespers. (In Greek churches, the apolytikion troparion is known simply as the apolytikion; in most other churches, it is known simply as the troparion.) This troparion serves as a thematic hymn and is repeated at every service of the day.

Troparia are also found as the stanzas of canons. Such troparia are modeled on the irmoi of the ode.

Troparia are also sometimes used as refrains for chanted psalm verses, though stichera more often serve this function.

Famous Troparia

Because of the importance of Pascha in Orthodox liturgical life, this is probably the best-known of all the hymns of the Church.

Troparion of the Holy Cross, Tone I:

O Lord, save your people,

and bless your inheritance!

Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians

over their adversaries,

and by virtue of your cross,

preserve your habitation.

This is literally the fight song of Orthodox Christians. Often used in battle, the phrase "the Orthodox Christians" has come to replace "the righteous and god-fearing Emperor (or Tsar) N.." The Tone I melody used in many Russian churches can be heard in the background of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Today the hymn is typically understood to have a primarily spiritual meaning.